UNESCO - Samarra Archaeological City, Iraq

Samarra is a city in Iraq situated 130km north of Baghdad, and is famous for its vast archaeological site of the former Islamic capital - the minaret of the Great Mosque on this postcard is its best-known feature. Looks fantastic!

As does the back of the postcard with no less than three different cancellations of two consecutive dates. Also a great stamp with landmarks map. Love everything, thanks so much Ahmed!

 

Cuban Tobacco

 

Here are my first postcards from Cuba...Most of the sent cards arrived safely by now but some are still travelling...fingers crossed they also reach their meant destinations.

These show the world-renowned Cuban tobacco, i.e. the fields, production...and the 'Godfather of Cuban tobacco' Alejandro Robaina. His family had been growing tobacco in the Pinar del Rio province since 1845, and even after the 1959 revolution he remained an independent grower (even though the most plantations were absorbed into cooperative organisations). Respect!

Cool Cat

Are words necessary? :)

Olá!

I am Agi's new friend, she discovered me in a tucked-away shop in the streets of lovely Coimbra...and now she wants me to tell you 'welcome back to the blog!' - after the winter sluggishness there will be more posts, new countries and unesco sites, and of course more donkeeeys ;)

 

UNESCO - Bremen Town Hall, Germany

I have come back from my brief European tour to a pile(chen) of postcards and among them a surprise from a friend who was visiting Bremen on a weekend break :) The old town hall was built in the Gothic style in the early 15th century, after Bremen joined the Hanseatic league. It is part of Bremen Unesco - the other part being the Roland statue on the Marketplace. Nice to have this unsuspectingly :)

Braying Fellas

 

Before a break, these guys have something to say...maybe 'farewell, but I will see you again' :)  Not before long this blog will come alive again like it usually does in the late spring - I haven't realised this many postcards have piled up on my desk, I am pretty excited to show them as soon as I can! (and then we can slowly progress to a number of 30000 of visits, and another lottery, yay ;))

Thank you Monika and Newelen for the cards :))

Jack Daniel's Rye

 

A surprise whiskey card - thanks Bryon! Havent tried JD's Rye yet, but  after discovering their Honey Bourbon...my world hasnt been the same :)

I have always wanted to include these in Sunday Stamps, and with today's open theme the time has come...three from the USPS set of 5 Arctic Animals stamps issued in 1999, showing grey wolf, arctic hare and arctic fox (other two being snowy owl and polar bear). Can animals be more beautiful than this? Its very sad to think their natural habitat is shrinking fast...

Other free choices of stamps here!

Ukraine Borscht Map

The eyes of the world are directed to Ukraine these days, and not for a good reason...In hope things will resolve for the best in this beautiful country, I am posting a map of their regional soup specialty, and wonderful illustration stamps (2008) of Ukrainian traditions - holiday of Holy Transfiguration and christening in Crimea, wedding ceremony and Harvest Festival in Dnipropetrovsk. 

Are thoughts are with you Ukraine!